Environmental Protection Agency October 28, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In the Federal Register of September 30, 2008, EPA announced that Idaho has applied to EPA for final authorization of certain changes to its hazardous waste program under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended (RCRA). EPA has reviewed Idaho's application, has preliminarily determined that these changes satisfy all requirements needed to qualify for final authorization, and is proposing to authorize the State's changes. This is an administrative extension of the public comment period for this proposed rule. The public comment period for this proposed rule has been extended from October 30, 2008 to November 20, 2008.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that an Information Collection Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. This is a request for a new collection. The ICR, which is abstracted below, describes the nature of the information collection and its estimated burden and cost.

The EPA proposes to codify in the regulations entitled ``Approved State Hazardous Waste Management Programs,'' New Mexico's authorized hazardous waste program. The EPA will incorporate by reference into the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) those provisions of the State regulations that are authorized and that the EPA will enforce under the Solid Waste Disposal Act, commonly referred to as the Resource Conversation and Recovery Act (RCRA). In the ``Rules and Regulations'' section of this Federal Register, the EPA is codifying and incorporating by reference the State's hazardous waste program as an immediate final rule. The EPA did not make a proposal prior to the immediate final rule because we believe these actions are not controversial and do not expect comments that oppose them. We have explained the reasons for this codification and incorporation by reference in the preamble to the immediate final rule. Unless we get written comments which oppose this incorporation by reference during the comment period, the immediate final rule will become effective on the date it establishes, and we will not take further action on this proposal. If we get comments that oppose these actions, we will withdraw the immediate final rule and it will not take effect. We will then respond to public comments in a later final rule based on this proposal. You may not have another opportunity for comment. If you want to comment on this action, you must do so at this time.

On October 12, 2005, EPA promulgated national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) for new and existing sources at hazardous waste combustion facilities (the final rule). Subsequently, the Administrator received four petitions for reconsideration of the final rule. On March 23, 2006 and September 6, 2006, EPA granted reconsideration with respect to eight issues raised by the petitions. After evaluating public comments submitted in response to these reconsideration notices, we are taking final action regarding the eight issues raised in the petitions for reconsideration. EPA also re-opened the rule to consider comments relating to a post- promulgation decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, and is responding in this proceeding to the comments received on that notice, published on September 27, 2007. As a result of this reconsideration process, we are revising the new source standard for particulate matter for cement kilns and for incinerators that burn hazardous waste. We are also making amendments to the particulate matter detection system provisions and revisions to the health-based compliance alternative for total chlorine of the final rule. Finally, we are also issuing several corrections and clarifications to the final rule.